Projectile.



W. M. HOWELL.

PROJECTILE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 14, 1915.

Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

W. M. HOWELL.

PROJECTILE.

-'APPLICAT|0N FILED MAY I4, 1915.

1 9 1 7, 1; 1 4k. Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- ilNllTFlD STATES PATENT @FFlliCFi WILLIAM 1V1. HOWELL, F SEABOAR'D, NORTH. CAROLINA.

EROJECTILE.

Specificationof Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. as, rare.

Application filed May it, 1915. Serial No. 28,138.

machine designed to navigate the air.

An object of the invention is to provide a projectile with suitable means of an automatic nature whereby one or a plurality of radially disposed magazine rifles may be simultaneously fired at predetermined intervals subsequent to contact of the projectile with an object at the termination of its flight; I

As a further object of the invention I contemplate a means likewise automatic in operation whereby, immediately subsequent to.

engagement of the projectile with a resisting object, suitable spring actuated support arms or legs will so contact or engage with said object, if horizontally fiat, as to support and maintain the projectile in an upright or vertical position and consequently direct the flight of the bullets discharged through operation of the magazine rifles laterally and radially of the projectile and in a manner designed to incur the greatest destructive resultl A still further object of the invention is to provide a two-part projectile in which that portion equipped with the magazineritles may be slowly-or otherwise rotated subsequent to flight and during a firing action, to increase or widen the range of the rifles and thus attain a more deadly effect. I further aim to provide a novel trip mechanism to be operatively associated with the parts before mentioned that the action of such parts may be timed and controlled.

The aboveand additional objects are accomplished by such means as are illustrated in their preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, described in the following specification and then more particuapplication.

larlv ointed out in the claims which are appended hereto and form a part of this In describing my invention in detail reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which 1 Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the position of the movable parts subsequent to contact of the projectile with the ground or other resisting object; Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a view similar to .di 1, a modified type of projectile being shown;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig.'

4; F ig. 6 is a detail elevation of the control mechanism utilized as a means for directing movement of a reciprocatory trigger actuating block; and Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the manner in which the support arms or legs are mounted.

Before proceeding'with a description of the drawings I desire to call particular at tention to the fact that while I have evolved my invention with reference to its use as a destructive agent to be dropped from machines that navigate the air, the same, if desired, may be equipped with a suitable parachute device (not shown) and shot from a mortar, cannon or other ordnance; the parachute, durlng descent of the pro ectile causing the latter to fall, point lowermost, that the rifles when extended may seek a substantially horizontal plane.

Referring now to the drawings by numerals, 1 designates a metallic substantially cylindrical pointed shell to which 1 secure as indicated at 2 a hollow cylindrical closure member 3. A guide rod or shaft t extends longitudinally of the shell 1, one end of said rod being integral with the mentioned shell and the opposite end being seated as indicated at 5 in a recess therefor of the closure member 3. A cap or trip device 6 is mounted extcriorly of the shell to inclose or cover the pointed end thereof. A rod -7 is affixed to the cap 6 and mounted to slide subsequent to contact of the cap .with a movable object, longitudinally of the shaft 4: and within a concentric bore or re cess 8 therein. Fingers 9 are pivotally fastoned as indicated at 10 to the rod 7, which fingers, as shown to advantage in Fig. 4, project through openings 11 formed in the shaft to engage a collar 12- slidable thereon. A groove 13 is formed in the collar 12 to receive hook terminals formed upon the fingers 9 to in this manner obtain a biting v I ing the shaft and abutting atone end the block or member 1 .6; I a i i I The cap '6 before described is preferably' action whereby collar 12 is ,heldin position to positively compressv a spring let embracnietallic :shell and at its opposite end the n g; Y I Y I 1 v I v v I v isccond comparatively: small-and consequcntly Weaker'spring l5 :is arranged to enr resisting forcewill cause the said cap to be depressed, the i rod '7 i moved longitudinally,

brace the shaft 4' and to abut the; opposite i face oi: the collar 12 from that'engaging the spring 141 and'a' reciprocatorytrigger actu-:E 1 ating block or member 16, the latter beingof; v I a substantially conical formation whereby to I engageduring reciprocation, the triggers of;

' :the magazine =rifles 17' to be hereinafter de scribed. A second: collar 18 is; mounted for sliding'movcment upon the shaft e. this-last mentioned collar providing a: support'mcans for the several rifles.

pivotal connection with the collar 18' as-indicated at 119' in the drawings carries a keeper20 which, subsequentto slid-1 v v v ing movement of theicosllar, isv adapted to be engaged by a a: springpressed pawl. 21' fastoned to the closuremember 3, the pawl at a j 25' by reason of the engagement i between a Collar 18 iording 'asupport :means; whereby the collar is :upheld and the: several rifles positioned to dischargelaterally of the projectile and to assume a position approximatinga hori- ='lhe a weight: of the: several zontal plane I I I I rifles vl7 and the collar 18 1s sufiiclentv to counteract. the resistance offered I by the v spring 15, :yet insuliicient to counteract the v tension offered by the spring 14; such an 1 I I rangement, permitting,v when the latter spring is released, the several a rifles and the collar. to be givensuflicient impetus whereby a keeper 20 may engage, the pawl 21. When thus supported, spring 15 is of a suflicient strength to exert upward pressure on the actuating block 16 and, by reason of such pressure, cause said block to engage the several triggers whereby said triggers may be depressed and the rifles fired.

Each rifle is equipped at its outer end with a pendent closure member 22, each member, prior to a release of the collar 12, afiording a closure for an opening 23 formed in the shell structure 1. As the rifles assume a horizontal position, the closure members 22 fall by gravity so as to in no way obstruct the flight of the bullets discharged from the rifles in connection with which the said closure members are used.

Coming now to a description of the mechanism utilized to reciprocate the actuating block 16, 2e designates aspring motor. A ratchet wheel 25 is adapted to be driven by the motor 24; immediately upon the release of a pivotal pawl 26. An arm 27 longitudinally slotted as at 28 has a universal connection as at 29 with the actuating member 16. A pin 30, eccentric to the axis of the ratchet 25 is mounted to operate within the slot 28 of the arm 27 and, as the pin is openable by the motor 24, it is evident that the Evach' rifle has :a p p p I 7 "13051171011 rifles 17 in asubstantially horizon- Y Y tal plane. Y Qlosure members 22 "Willg as be will reciprocate according to the rotation of the ratchet '25 to in this manner made of a suitable malleablemetal which,

upon engagement of the-projectile with a of theishafta and the fingers Savithdraw'n from en a ement with'the collar 12:. [this thereby to be thrown with forcetoward the 1 closure member 3. llpon' the engagementof the: collar 1S with the closure member,: pawl 1 a :21 will automaticallylock said collar against I :a return movement ;and thus automatically fore pointed :out, fall by gravity into the movement; is imparted to the ratchet wheel slotted v 27 and pin 30. Such slight movement ofth'e lHtClIGl-L'IIL a reverse QlllG-C tion willpermit pawl '26 to fall by gravity a 7 out. of engaging proximity with said wheel and thereafterpermit motor 2i to operate unobstructed. pelled by the spring 15 to afinal positioni it is evident that the arm: 27 will move'u ntil pin 30 shall have been brought in contact with that end of the slot a adjacent the free terminal of the arm: W'hen thus positioned,

rotation of the wheel 25 will cause arm 27 and consequently block 16 to be reciprocated agalnst the tension of the spring 15 and the 9;; 1 I 1 As the 'member l6 is pro i trlggers repeatedly depressed to provide for repeated operation or firing of the magazine rifles 17.

Passing on to a description of the more complicated, yet more effectual typo of projectile the same being refererd to as a modific'ation) 24' designates a second spring motor operable to rotatethat part or portion of the projectile designated 1 relatively to that part or portion designated 25, it having been pointed out hereinbefore' that the projectile is made up of two parts, one part being rotatable relatively to the other. Ballbearings 26 arranged between the relatively movable parts of the projectile facilitate rotation of the part or portion 1. A gear or pinion 27 is mounted on the motor shaft 28 to rotate the part or portion 1 when the lat tor-shall have been released in a manner sub sequently to appear. Gear teeth 29 are formed upon the closed lower end of the shell 1 to meshavit'li the teeth of the pinion 27. A flange 30 is formed integrally with the shell portion 25 to act with the guide rod or shaft 4 as a centering means for the shell 1. v

' Support arms or legs 31 are pivotally secured as at 32 within a recess 33 therefor formed in the shell part 25. The arms or legs 31 are preferably located at diametrically opposite points relatively to the axis of the shell and held, prior to contact of the cap 6 with a resisting object, in such relation to the shell part ,1 as-to preclude turning movement thereof and to conform approximately to the outer configuration of the projectile as a whole. Each arm or leg may therefore be said to fit a groove formed in the shell; A, head portion 34: is formed upon each arm, the said head portion of each arm being provided with ratchet teeth 35 with which a pivoted pawl 36'is engageable, the mentioned pawl acting automatically to look its associate arm in a final position subsequent to movement by gravity and the action of the spring 39 outwardly relatively to the shell and into a position in- .tended to support the projectile in an upright or vertical manner. An eye extension 37 is formed upon the free end of the arm or leg 31 to penetrate the shell structurel and engage with a radial arm 38 ailixed to the sliding collar 12. A'spring 39 is associated with each arm or leg to exert outward pressure thereon at all times and cause said arm ar leg the projectile the moment the radial arms '38 shall have been withdrawn from engageme'nt' with the several eye extensions 37 noted above. Operation of the last'described parts isas follows: Upon distortion of the cap 6 of the shell it'is evident that the collar 12 will be released. Movement of the collar in the manner before. mentioned will cause the radial arm 38 to be withdrawn from engagem'ent with the eye extensions 37 forming a partof the support-legs or arms 31. Said support arms or legs being "thus released, it =is"evident that the springs 39 will cause said arms or legs to fall or until in engagement with {the object contacting with or causing the cap '6 to'be depressed, such engagement, by reason ot the spread obtained, causing the projectile as an entirety to be supported and maintained in an upright or vertical position. Upon movement of shell structure 1 it is further evident that the said structure-1 will rotate, this for the reason that the .motor 24 is normally set to rotate theipinion 27 and consequently the shell structure 1. Rotation of structure 1 while the projectile is in a vertical position will cause th magazine rifles to discharge. intermittently and ,in all directions ito .thus widen the range of the destructive agent.

From the foregoing, taken 1n connection with the accompanying drawings it is evies dent 'or apparent that the entire automatic to move outwardly or away from 1 more outwardly jectile with an immovable the arms "31 away from the operation is controlled through distortion or depression of the cap member 6; that the trigger actuating block 16 will reciprocate against tension of the spring 15 the moment the clock mechanism or motor as shall have been released through operation of the arm 27 and .that the clock mechanism or motor 2% will operate automatically.

I desire toemphasize the fact that various minor changes in details of construction,

be resorted to, when required, without sac- -r1ticin, any oi the advantages of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

a ing thus fully described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

,1. A: projmtile including a hollow shell, a: rifle movable from a position entirely witl into a position partially without the shell,

means operable upon engagement of the proportion and arrangement of parts may i project le with an object to move said rifle,

and means to to movement.

2. A projectile including a hollow shell, a plurality of radiall arranged rifles movable simultaneously from a position entirely within to-a position partially without the shell, means operable upon the engagement ofthe projectile with an object-to move said rifles, and-means to discharge the rifles simultaneously subsequent to movement.

3. A projectile including a hollow shell, a rifle movable from a position entirely within to a position partially without the shell, means operable upon engagement of the proobject to move the rifle, and means to discharge the rifle subsequent to movement.

l. 'A, projectile including a hollow shell, a trip plate located enteriorly otthe shell to contact with an objectat the termination of the shells flight, a plurality of rifles movable from a position entirely within to a position partially without the shell, means operable upon actuation of the trip plate to move the rifles 1n the manner stated and means operating automatically to discharge the rifles simultaneously subsequent to move ment. 1 I

5. A projectile including a hollow shell, a

rifle movable from a position entirely within to. a position entirely without the shell,

discharge the rifle subsequent a means operable upon engagement of the proectile with an ob ect to thus move said rifles,

and means reciprocable within the shell to repeatedly discharge the rifle subsequent to movement.

G. A projectile including a hollow shell, a magazine rifle movable from a position within to a position partially without the shell, spring means operable upon engagement of the projectile with an object to thus move said rifles, and a spring pressed trigger actuating block reciprocable within the shell subsequent to movement of the rifle in the manner stated to repeatedly dischargethe rifle, substantially described. 4

7. A projectile including a hollow shell, a plurality of magazine rifles movable from a position entirely within to a position partially without the shell, trip mechanism 10- catcd exteriorly of the shell for contact with an object at the termination of the shells flight spring means operable upon engagement of the trip mechanism with said object tosmove the rifles in the manner stated, a spring pressed reciprocatory trigger memher, the mentioned member being reciprocable to repeatedly discharge the several rifles simultaneously, substantially as deaxis of theprojectile to a position at substantially right angles thereto, means operable upon engagement of the pro ectile wlth an object to move said rifles, a means to maintain the rifle against further movementwhen thus moved, and means operable subsequent to movement of the rifle to provide for a discharge thereof.

10. A projectile including a hollow body,

' a plurality of magazine rifles movable from a position entirely within to a position partially without the shell, a guide rod extending longitudinally of the shell, a support for the several rifles slidable longitudinally on said rod, means to engage said support for maintaining the rifles against further movement when partially without the shell. a trip member located eXteriorly of the shell, a collar slidable longitudinally on said rod. a spring operable to slide the collar, a connection between the trip mem her and the collar to normally maintain said spring compressed, movement of the trip said body to a position partially without said body, the rifle in the latter position fitting the opening aforesaid, means on the rifle to close said opening when the rifle is within the shell, .and means operable upon engagement of the projectile with an object to move the rifiein the manner stated.

' 12. A, projectile including a two-part shell, rifles movable from a position within to a position Without the shell, means operable upon engagement of the projectile with an object to move said rifles, means to discharge the rifles subsequent to movement, and means to rotate one of the shell parts relatively to the other during a discharge of the rifles in the manner stated.

13. A projectile including a hollow shell, av rifle movable from an operative to an inoperative position, means operable upon engagement of the projectile with an object to move the rifle, and means to discharge the rifles subsequent to movement.

141:. A projectile including a two-part shell, a rifle movable from a position within to a position without the shell, means operable upon engagement of the projectile with an object to move said rifle, means operating within the shell to discharge the rifle subsequent to movement, and means to rotate that part of the shell carrying the rifle relatively to the other part, substantially as described.

15. A projectile including a two-part shell, rifles movable from a position within to a position partially without the shell, means operable upon contact of the shell with an object to thus move the rifles, means operable within the shell-to discharge the rifles simultaneously subsequent to movement, and means operating automatically subsequent to movement of the rifles to rotate one of the shell parts relatively to the other.

16. A projectile including a two-part shell, a plurality of magazine rifles movable from a position within to a position partially without the shell, means operable upon contact of the shell with an object to thus move the rifles, means operable within the shell to simultaneously and repeatedly discharge the rifles, and means to rotate one of the shell parts relatively to the other during the discharge of the rifles in the manner stated.

17. A projectile including a hollow shell,

o a position partially Without the means operable upon engagement of tie pro ectile with an ob ect to thus nrove said rifles, means to discharge the rifles subsea I cllt to movement, a plurality of radial ts normally inclosed by the shell, and operable upon contact of the shell an object to bring said support into emeni; with said object and thus supthe shell in a vertical position during discharge or the rifles in the manner slated.

19. A projectile including a tvo-part shell rifles movable from a position entirely within to a position partially Without the shell, means operable upon engagement of the projectile with an object to thus move said rilies, means to simultaneously discharge the rifles subsequent to movement, means operating automatically upon the engagement of the projectile with an object to act as a support tor the projectile and to maintain it in an upright position, and means to rotate one of the shell parts relatively to the other during a discharge of the rifles in the manner stated and subsequent to actuation of the mentioned support means, as and for the purpose set forth. ctile including a two-part I 'iting arms mounted exteriorly ol' thoshell, a -i'ncans to normally maintain said arms in. an inoperative position, ameans opera ble upon engagement of the projectile ell) with an object to release said arms, and a. means to move said, arms when released ,to an operative position.

21. A projectile including a two-part shell, means operating, automatically upon the engagement of the shell with an object to support the shell in an uprigl t position, means to rot: te one of the shell parts relatively to the other when thus supported, rifles mounted to discharge laterally of the shell, and means to discharge the rifles.

in a projectile, a two-part shell, rifles mounted to discharge laterally of the shell,

Copies of. this patent may be obtained :or five cents means to discharge the rifles, means operable to rotate one of the shell parts relatively to the other during a discharge of the tion with the rotatable shell part to a supporting position, substantially as described.

23. In a projectile, a tWo-part-shell, means operable to rotate one oiEv the shell parts relatively to the other, a support for? the shell affixed to the stationary shell part and to the removable shell part to normally hold said movable part against rotation, and means operable upon the engagement of projectile with an object to move the sup port from its engaging position with the rotatable shell part to a supporting position.

24. In a projectile, a support therefor, a means to normally maintain said support in an inoperative position, a means operable upon the engagement of the projectile with an object to release thexsupport, and a means to move the supportinto an operative position when released.

In a projectile, a two-part shell, a means to rotate one of the shell parts relatively to the other, and a member conjunctively utilizable first as a means to preclude rotation of one of said shell parts relatively to the other,-and thereafter as a support for the projectile,substantially as described.

-2ii,.ln a projectile, a plurality of supports arranged radially with respect to the axis of the projectile, a means to normally maintai tive position, a means to release the said' supports upon the engagement of the projectile with an object, a means to i ove said supports into an operative position when released, and a means to lock the said supports subsequent to movement in the manner stated.

In testimony whereof I aihx my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

lVILLI AM M. HO'WPnL.

Witnesses:

NM. EBALK, J12, M. E. Jones.

each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0.,

the several supports in an inoperew 

